In addition to hosting services, all-in-one website builders, such as Wix, Weebly and Squarespace often include a free domain for the user’s first year. These website builders are popular because they allow users without any coding experience to build professional-looking websites by using customizable templates with drag-and-drop features.
While they are generally more expensive than building a WordPress website through a hosting provider, they are much easier to navigate for the average user. Most popular website builders’ paid plans include a free domain for 12 months. Unlike hosting plans, professional email addresses may not be available on all plans. For more information, check out our article on the best website builders[1].
What To Expect After Registering Your New Domain
Once you register your domain name with either a free plan, hosting service or website builder, it typically takes 24 to 72 hours to become active. This is the length of time the DNS takes to replicate the name worldwide. After 48 hours your domain will be included in the Whois database[2], which is a public record of all domain registrations. The database allows anyone to search the IP owner information of every registered website on the internet. It also gives new website owners the ability to find out if their idea of a domain name is available for registration and, if not, when the current registration for that name expires.
Generally, you cannot transfer a domain name during the first 60 days after registration. This is the length of time the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) requires domain providers to lock most domains after registration. Freenom is the world’s only free domain provider.
Bottom Line
Your best bet for a free, professional-looking website is with a hosting service or a web builder. Along with the domain, both offer great features, such as website templates, free security, e-commerce features and more. Remember that free domain registration usually is only free for the first year or two before an annual fee kicks in. Learn more about how to register a domain name[3].
Canadian specific editing and research conducted by Anna Rey.
Featured Partner Offer
Starting price
$2.95 USD ($4.05 CAD) per month
Storage and bandwidth
Unmetered bandwidth, and SSD storage starts at 10GB
Extras and inclusions
Free domain name and SSL for a year, free CDN
Starting price
$2.75 USD ($3.68 CAD)per month
Money-Back Guarantee
30 days
Inclusions
Free SSL certificate, free website transfer
Starting price
$1.58 USD ($2.15 CAD) per month (with 24 months contract)
Money-Back Guarantee
30 days
Inclusions
Free SSL certificate, host three sites, low-cost VPS hosting
Starting price
$2.59 USD ($3.47 CAD) per month
Money-Back Guarantee
97 days
Inclusions
Top-rated tech support, free domain name, free SSL certificate
References
- ^ best website builders (www.forbes.com)
- ^ Whois database (who.is)
- ^ how to register a domain name (www.forbes.com)